Heritage under Threat

Heritage under Threat

Heritage under Threat

Universiteit Leiden, Centre for Global Heritage and Development

About this course: In this course you will learn to articulate your own concepts about (threatened) heritage and that of others. What is your heritage? Who defines heritage? Why is heritage under threat? How can we protect heritage?
WW1, WW2, Cold war politics and contemporary conflicts as well as continuing political and socio-economic inequalities and colonial pasts are all factors playing a role in the global heritage discussions and approaches to (or lack of ) valorization and protection of heritage. Hence, issues behind destruction or threats to heritage are related to complex issues, often connected to complex landscapes of wars, the war-on-terror, fundamentalism, migration, global warming, financial crises, inequality and diverse interests of local communities.
This course, sponsored by the LDE Centre for Global Heritage and Development and the Honours Academy of Leiden University, and the Netherlands Commission for UNESCO gave its support to one of the sections of the MOOC, will explore these issues. We wish to engage global communities and widen the perspective on threatened heritage. You can help us with this.

Who is this class for: This course does not require previous knowledge on the subject. It is aimed at both practioners in the field, and people who are concerned in general over situations of failed governance or neglect in regards to heritage.
This course is free, and will remain free for participants. You can purchase a certificate.

Created by:Universiteit Leiden, Centre for Global Heritage and Development

Great that you are joining us! In this course you will learn about your heritage and how you can preserve it. Before you start with studying we invite you to first go through our introduction module and introduce yourself in the forum to meet your fellow learners. If you encounter any difficulties while studying, please let us know on the forum. For technical difficulties or questions regarding the course certificate, you can always contact the Coursera Learner Helpdesk. Good luck & we hope you will enjoy studying in this course!

2 videos, 6 readings

Video: Introduction to this course

Reading: Meet the instructor & her team

Reading: How to pass this course & obtain your certificate

Reading: Welcome to Leiden University and the Centre for Global Heritage and Development

Reading: Study tips for studying online

Reading: Being succesful in an international virtual learning community

Reading: How to behave in an academic way

Video: Short welcome from Bellinzona, Switzerland

What is your heritage?

Hi everybody and welcome to the first module of this MOOC! We have an exciting course prepared for you, with a large variety of topics to be discussed. Some of which can become quite technical, but are necessary in order for you to understand the frameworks we are dealing with. For this week however, we are starting somewhat slowly and view cultural heritage from a very personal point of view. This is important because, as you will also learn later, a personal view and inclusive heritage is one of the main ways to go forward and battle for heritage which is under threat. We'd like you to introduce yourself to your fellow students before diving into the content, so make sure to select the next discussion prompt first!

8 videos, 4 readings

Discussion Prompt: Introduce yourself

Video: What is your heritage?

Video: Expert interview: Koosje Spitz

Video: Expert interview: Peter Pels

Video: Research methods

Video: Expert interview Amy Strecker

Reading: Reading for week 1

Reading: Introduction to this case study

Video: Personal Heritage

Reading: Personal heritage of the experts

Video: Closing remarks from Sada

Discussion Prompt: Choose your heritage

Video: Example of personal Heritage: Linden tree

Reading: Honors Track Reading for week 1

Graded: On the concept of heritage

Graded: Portfolio: your heritage

WEEK 2

Heritage and inequality

Hi everybody welcome to the second module! Last week we talked about the concept of heritage and how heritage can be very personal. This week we will dive into how heritage is actually defined, both within the field of (archaeological) heritage management, as well as for local communities. We will also discuss various forms of inequality which unfortunately can come with defining and framing something as heritage. Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!

Hi everybody welcome to the third module!Last week we talked about the definition of heritage and how this can sometimes invoke inequality. This week we will discuss the role of communities and the impact of heritage ownership. Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!Have fun!

11 videos, 4 readings

Video: Introduction to week 3

Video: Who owns heritage?

Video: Expert Interview: Amy Strecker

Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo

Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo

Video: Expert Interview: Peter Pels

Video: Expert Interview: Koosje Spitz

Reading: Ownership and Contested Heritage

Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo

Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders

Video: Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo

Reading: Reading for week 3

Reading: Contested collections - Benin heritage

Video: Closing remarks from Sada

Discussion Prompt: Your views on communities and ownership

Reading: Honors Track reading for week 3

Graded: On the ownership of cultural heritage

Graded: Portfolio: who owns your heritage?

WEEK 4

Heritage threats

Hi all! Welcome to the fourth module!Last week we talked about local communities and the impact of heritage ownership. This week we will dive into the various threats to heritage, both anthropogenic as well as natural. We also have a very interesting, relevant and timely case study prepared for you! Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!

10 videos, 4 readings

Video: Introduction to week 4

Video: Why is heritage under threat?

Video: Expert Interview: Amy Strecker

Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo

Video: Expert Interview: Peter Pels

Video: Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo

Video: Expert interview Dominique Ngan-Tillard

Reading: Loss of histories, knowledge and heritage

Video: Expert Interview: Dick Douwes

Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders

Reading: Reading for week 4

Reading: The Al Mahdi case: Intentional destruction

Video: Closing remarks from Sada

Discussion Prompt: Your views on the threats to heritage

Discussion Prompt: (Re)construct a threatened heritage site in Minecraft

Reading: Honors Track reading for week 4

Graded: On the threats to cultural heritage

Graded: Portfolio: Threats to your heritage

WEEK 5

Heritage protection

Hi all! Welcome to the fifth module!Last week we discussed the various threats to heritage, both man-made as well as natural. This week we will discuss how we can actually protect cultural heritage and which measures we have at our disposal to do so. Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!

8 videos, 4 readings

Video: Introduction to week 5

Video: How can we protect heritage?

Video: How can we best protect heritage? Expert Interview: Peter Pels

Video: Expert Interview: Amy Strecker

Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders

Video: How can new techniques help us protect heritage under threat? Expert Interview: Dominique Ngan-Tillard

Reading: How to protect Heritage?

Video: Expert Interview: Koosje Spitz

Reading: Reading for week 5

Reading: Lessons from the ICC Al-Mahdi Case

Video: Closing remarks from Sada

Discussion Prompt: Your views on protecting heritage

Reading: Honors Track reading for week 5

Graded: On the protection of cultural heritage

Graded: Portfolio: protecting your heritage

WEEK 6

Inclusive heritage

Hi all! Welcome to the sixth and last module! Did you enjoy the course thus far?Last week we talked about the opportunities we have to protect heritage. This final week we will discuss how heritage can be utilized to create an inclusive, sensitive and thoughtful society. We will also discuss some of the more technological developments going on in the world of video games and virtual reality, all helping to create an open and inclusive heritage discourse. Let us know what you think! Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study! Good luck with your final tasks!

9 videos, 4 readings

Video: Introduction to week 6

Video: How can we utilize heritage?

Video: Expert Interview: Dominique Ngan-Tillard

Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders

Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders

Video: Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo

Reading: Ways forward: Inclusive Heritage

Video: Expert Interview: Dick Douwes

Video: Expert Interview: Peter Pels

Reading: Reading for week 6

Reading: Inclusive heritage, VR and video games

Video: Closing remarks from Sada

Discussion Prompt: Your thoughts on the future of Heritage under Threat

Reading: Honors Track reading for week 6

Graded: On inclusive heritage and the way forward

Graded: Portfolio: the future of your heritage

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Universiteit Leiden

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.
Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It was founded in February 1575, as a gift from William of Orange to the citizens of Leiden after they had withstood a long siege by the Spanish. Our motto is: Praesidium Libertatis — Bastion of Liberty.

Centre for Global Heritage and Development

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5 of 32 ratings

Excellent course with a lot of information, interesting cases and useful readings!

I truly enjoyed the videos, readings, and assignments given. Dr. Mire's work is so critical and has inspired me to challenge myself and the field to be more inclusive.

One of the finest courses dealing with heritage and its conservation.

This course had taught me a lot and offered amazing insight views about heritage worldwide. It broadened my previous (minor) knowledge about cultural and archaeological heritage. I would highly recommend this course to those interested in the topics of heritage!